Nicole Kidman Shut Out In Major Upset

The 2025 Oscar nominations have officially arrived, but fans can’t help but notice that Nicole Kidman‘s name was left off of the list.

On Sunday, March 2, presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott revealed the list of contenders vying for the coveted gold trophies. While some names were unsurprising, including Demi Moore and Adrien Brody, others were glaringly absent, leaving fans and critics alike stunned.

One of the most shocking snubs? None other than Nicole Kidman.

In the 2024 erotic thriller, Kidman delivers a captivating and daring performance as Romy, a high-powered CEO who risks everything—her career, family, and reputation—when she embarks on a torrid affair with her much younger intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. The role challenged Kidman to explore the complex interplay of power, vulnerability, and forbidden desire, marking another milestone in her illustrious career.

Kidman’s performance was met with widespread acclaim. Critics and audiences alike praised her ability to portray Romy’s tightly controlled public persona alongside her unraveling private life. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, further cementing her legacy as one of the industry’s finest talents.

However, despite this recognition, Kidman’s omission from the 2025 Academy Award nominations shocked many.

After seeing the nominations, many took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to express their frustrations.

“The academy snubs Nicole Kidman for yet another bold and daring performance,” one X user wrote. “Adding ‘Babygirl’ to the long list that includes ‘Birth,’ ‘The Paperboy,’ ‘To Die For,’ ‘Destroyer,’ ‘Dogville,’ ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ and the list goes on and on.

“Nicole Kidman delivered an incredible performance, full of intensity and vulnerability, in ‘Babygirl,'” another wrote. “I really wish she had received more recognition this year — she truly deserves it #Oscars.”

“No, but Nicole Kidman may be the most underappreciated actress in Hollywood and yet one of the most talented,” a third expressed.

“They snubbed mother Nicole Kidman…” someone else said.

Although she didn’t secure a Best Actress nomination for the 2025 Oscars, Kidman previously shared how deeply the provocative film resonated with her.

“A lot of times women are discarded at a certain period of their career as a sexual being. So, it was really beautiful to be seen in this way,” the actress told The Hollywood Rporter. “From the minute I read it, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is a voice I haven’t seen, this is a place that I haven’t been, I don’t think audiences have been.’”

She added, “My character has reached a stage where she’s got all this power, but she’s not sure who she is, what she wants, what she desires, even though she seems to have it all. And I think that’s really relatable.”

The achievement came just a year after her first nomination for “Moulin Rouge!,” solidifying her place as one of Hollywood’s most gifted talents. However, behind the dazzling smile and glamorous Jean-Paul Gaultier gown, Kidman was grappling with a deep personal struggle—the aftermath of her divorce from Tom Cruise after 11 years of marriage.

“I was struggling with things in my personal life, yet my professional life was going so well,” Kidman shared with author Dave Karger in his book “50 Oscar Nights.” “That’s what happens, right?”

The emotional weight of the evening was evident during her acceptance speech. Kidman briefly broke down on stage before quickly composing herself. “Russell Crowe said, ‘Don’t cry when you get up there,’ and now I’m crying,” she recalled. Before she could finish her speech, the orchestra began playing her off, leaving her feeling incomplete. “Afterwards, I just wanted to go home,” she admitted.

While Nicole Kidman didn’t make the cut, the nominations for Best Actress for the 2025 Oscars did include a list of talented stars:

• Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”
• Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”
• Mikey Madison, “Anora”
• Demi Moore, “The Substance”
• Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”

The 2025 Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will air on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu, with the red carpet coverage kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.